FOOD TELEVISION : FOOD CHANNELS

FOOD SHOWS BROADCASTING AND PRODUCTION

There are now more than 10 different food channels around the world that broadcast food shows 24 hours a day . Most of these same programs are available in other countries, such as the Australian Lifestyle Channel, El Gourmet, or the US Food Network, offered in dozens of countries.

There are also food shows on most open broadcast channels, and on many entertainment, lifestyle and travel channels on satellite and cable. Production for this hungry market is dominated by approximately 20 production companies, with the strongest by far in the UK, and US.

1.- The Food Channels

The first TV food network in the world was founded in 1992 in the US by Reese Schonfeld, the partner of Ted Turner in the early years of CNN. It now reaches 88 million and is the world leader.

There are strong food channels around the world, with their programming available in other countries by satellite. The most important ones are in Latin America, with Elgourmet.com present in nearly all Spanish speaking countries, led by the very strong Argentina and Mexico markets. The China Food Network was launched in September 2006, with 40 offices around China, and over 100 employees at the headquarters in Qing Dao, Shandong.

Some of the other countries with food channels are Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK, South East Asia has the Asian Food Channel. There is apparently only one Wine TV channel launched in the US and Germany, claiming over 40 million viewers.

2.- Production and Programming

Worldwide approximately 100 television channels program original food shows, with 20 production companies leading the world market for broadcasting. The US is by far the main market, followed by the UK, Germany, Spain, India, Japan, France, China, Australia. The US and UK completely rule the production market for exports, leaving less than 20% to the rest of the world, thanks to the strength of the English speaking channels.

3.- The Gourmand Yearbook 2008-01-08

The list of the top food channels, the 100 broadcasters, and 20 best production companies for food television is available in the Gourmand Yearbook 2008 (April 2008), including contact information when available.

The Gourmand Yearbook is published for the yearly Best in the World event of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Gourmand Yearbook 2008

Two Volumes

ISBN13: 978- 84- 89131 -45 -3

ISBN10:     84- 89131- 45- 7

Price: 190 Euros

Information: pilar@gourmandbooks.com